China's Shanghai International Circuit is renowned for its tyre-eating asphalt rather than for its signature back straight, the longest of all F1 tracks on the calendar.
However, while the Hermann Tilke-designed layout isn't classified as a power circuit, because of its 1.4-kilometer stretch, maximum engine output is a big asset, and one that Ferrari was hoping to take advantage of.
Speed trap readings in qualifying confirmed the velocity of the Scuderia's SF90 in a straight line, with Sebastian Vettel and Charles comfortably leading the field in terms of maximum speed.
Yet the red cars were surpassed in the Saturday afternoon shootout over a full lap by Mercedes' W10, with Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton more than making up in the corners what they were losing to Ferrari's chargers in a straight line.
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